[KenRa Films Present: the Kenneth Rankine Home Movie Collection: Reel 37]

Kenneth Carruthers Rankine (1890 - 1968) was a keen amateur cinematographer and filmmaker. This collection of his home movies has been donated to ACMI by Kenneth’s granddaughter. The collection represents a wonderful slice of life in Australia; with contents including scenes of everyday life, major family occasions, holidays around Victoria and views of Melbourne.

This film shows some wonderful car racing in Victoria and South Australia in 1953 and 1955. Includes the Templestowe and Rob Roy hill climbs, races at Altona and Baxter Park, and the Grand Prix at Port Wakefield.

While some footage is overexposed there are good scenes of the cars and spectators. Drivers shown include Jack Brabham, Reg Hunt, Kevin Neal and Doug Whiteford. Brabham is shown winning the 1955 Australian Grand Prix.

This film was originally made using 16mm film.

Selected highlights list
00:00:00 KenRa opening title
00:00:10 ‘Why the hurry fellows’ title card
00:00:17 6th Templestowe Hill Climb, 17th May 1953 brochure shown. Card filmed from several fixed locations
00:01:27 car stuck at side of track. Spectators inspect and car is towed free.
00:04:46 picnic at side of track
00:07:37 spectators in pith helmets
00:07:51 Rob Roy Hill Climb car sticker
00:07:56 views of spectators
00:08:06 people inspecting card
00:08:20 cars racing on track (overexposed) – Rob Roy
00:09:10 cars racing on track (exposure better)
00:09:28 group of men standing by car
00:10:19 view of spectators on hillside
00:10:31 parade of cars on track
00:11:55 brochure for Baxter Park races in Frankston (very overexposed)
00:12:03 racing around dirt track – Baxter Park, Frankston
00:12:30 tractor grading track
00:14:10 cars preparing to race
00:14:58 spectators stand on and around wooden tray truck
00:15:05 trick motorcycle riding
00:17:59 ‘Altona car racing Sunday June 6’ poster in car window
00:18:03 cars racing at Altona
00:18:35 mechanics working on car engine
00:21:09 close up of parked racing card and spectators
00:21:30 loading car on to truck tray
00:21:43 ‘The end’ title card
00:21:48 colour footage starts – KenRa opening title card
00:21:59 ‘Practice & qualifying heats Port Wakefield 1955’ title card
00:22:08 mechanics work on car then push it to track
00:22:22 racing on track
00:22:40 close up cars and engines
00:23:08 close up Reg Hunt’s car
00:28:28 mechanics working on cars. Possibly Jack Brabham
00:29:14 ‘Australian Grand Prix Port Wakefield 1955’ title card
00:29:26 Grand Prix, Port Wakefield, South Australia